Valentine Chocolates ~ Gentlemen from Bacongo

Why do we limit ourselves to just one day to be overtly loving and shower those we care about with flowers and sweets?


Tonight a new edict is announced from Meroe West~

You are hereby allowed to infuse Black History Month with the energy of the Valentine's Day celebration. That's right, a whole month of presents that delight, cards expressing your adoration and devotion, gifts of sexy and elegant garments, music, poetry and chocolates.

Therefore tonight, I present you with some 'eye Candy'....beautiful Black men, dressed to the nines, as only the originators of style can do it.




These images are from a book entitled The Gentlemen of Bacongo. It is a photographic work by Italian photographer Daniele Tamagni. Tamagni is also an art historian, with a particular fascination and focus on African culture and society. He moved into photography after working as a researcher in museums, galleries and churches.



In 2007 he won the best portfolio in the Canon Young Photographer award for Italy with his images of Congolese dandies.



The book's Introduction was written by Paul Smith, one of the world's most renowned and influential menswear designers. The cover image was also chosen for Paul Smith's London Fashion Week show invitation for September 2009.




The book provides a fascinating insight to the vibrant street style of the 'Sapeurs', the elegant and immaculately dressed dandies from the heart of the Congo.

The Sapeurs today belong to 'Le SAPE' (Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes -(Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People) - one of the world's most exclusive clubs. Members have their own code of honour, codes of professional conduct and strict notions of morality. It is a world within a world within a city.



Designer brands of suits and accessories are of the utmost importance to Sapeurs - Pierre Cardin, Roberto Cavalli, Dior, Fendi, Gaultier, Gucci, Issey Miyake, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Yohji Yamamoto - are their patron saints. Unlike some US hip-hop gangs who are dressed in similar fine threads, there is no bloodshed here - here your clothes do all the fighting for you, otherwise you are not fit to be called a Sapeur. The result is a unique and inspiring style, that has captured the imagination of people all over the world - the sapeurs are now truly the kings of elegance.



I tried and tried Beloveds, but I just couldn't get the slideshow to load on the blog, so click this link and visit the website to see more of these delicious images. Be sure to click the Slideshow link on the left of the page, to listen to great Congolese music, as even more photographs from this delightful book flash by.
http://www.trolleybooks.com/bookSingle.php?bookId=118




Oh and here is a link which will give you individual images that are larger, of the collage presented above.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXgMWsBDQEWwGiiIDKREb4s4zV7DNJmR9uAmaAyuN-qgw-n-tHVneX2zZXEC4Mjo67UwabqkaMWDfoE73gHiPYKMuSdGep-wqxJo2wfCAoxIs6JTnzq64OxKYmKxJTIX6JlOkgGeQ-DI/s1600-h/_MG_6349a.jpg


....Enjoy~
Kentke